Elder Brothers usually think they have things figured out.Even if things get tough they tend to hunker down and press on. Elder Brothers tend to see obstacles as big stepping stones. It might be big and obtrusive, but they’ll figure out a way to go around or even climb it if they have to.While David was a younger brother, when it came to Goliath, he acted like an Elder Brother. Goliath was just a big giant of an obstacle that could be brought down with a well-placed stone.

Though the people sang his praises and Samuel anointed him with oil, David was not ready to lead his people. God required a man who was truly after His Heart. Saul had failed to obey. David showed the heart of a King, a man after God’s heart. But all Elder Brothers must learn something that David still needed to learn. God took David to a place that was so dark, it was impossible to see a way out or over or around. God took David to the deepest darkest cave, and in that cave David learned what every Elder Brother must learn.

Isaiah 50:10 says ” He that walks in darkness, and hath no light, let him trust in the name of the Lord, and stay (lean) upon His God.” Most Elder Brothers in such a dire situation start to light their own fires as verse 11 indicates. And Elder Brothers who walk in the light of their own fires will lie down in torment as God’s Word says. David could have kindled his own fire, and Saul and his army would have discovered him and killed him.

David did a very unusual thing for an Elder Brother.David did what EVERY Elder Brother must do regardless of the obstacle facing us. If we fail to do this, we will fail to know the Father’s heart. David wrote in Psalms 57 what he did in this dire situation deep in the blackness of the cave:

My soul is among lions: and I lie even among them that are set on fire, even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword. Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens; let thy glory be above all the earth. Psalms 57:4-5

David did two things: 1. He asked God to come between Him and the obstacle. 2. He asked God to be glorified in the situation. (REGARDLESS OF THE OUTCOME!)

David did not ask God to rescue him, nor did he ask God to get rid of the obstacle. He simply said “God, I don’t want to see the obstacle except as you see it. I want you to be before my eyes”. David took his focus off the problem and placed it on God his Father. Then He simply said, “Be exalted O God, above the heavens”. I don’t care how this situation works out as long as YOU O GOD are exalted through it!

This is an Elder Brother after the heart of His Father!

When your way gets dark, when obstacles are all around you; don’t be an Elder Brother who starts lighting your own fires to see what you can figure out. Be like David, and ask the Father to be exalted and take charge of the situation. Trust in your Father, and lean upon Him! He will reveal His heart to you!

Father: Be exalted in every situation I am facing. May I not react as a typical Elder Brother, but may I be a man after your Heart!